Snappy Christmas Photo

Photographer’s Note

Following the taking of my previous upload I continued down the fashionable Collins Street two blocks or 400 metres to the centre of Melbourne at the junction with Swanston Street. Here is located what is laughably called 'City Square'. I say laughably because it is really a thin rectangle, what is left after many controversies and a tedious history over several decades of governments and city councils not having the courage to stop commercial developers and various architects taking over a nice big square of land and making commercial use of it.

Anyway, enough of that. On this sunny afternoon, many people were enjoying the sunshine on the small grassy area near the large artificial Christmas Tree. I was intrigued by three Buddhist monks who seemed to be enjoying themselves by taking snaps of each other, while I took snaps of the three of them. I don't know if they were visitors from abroad or residents of Melbourne, but I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the Christmas tree and the monks' simple, colourful dress and relatively spartan lack of paraphernalia (they weren't wired up for ipod sound, frenziedly pressing mobile phone buttons, drinking expensive fruit juices or updating their Facebook pages on laptops) apart from the small camera. I also thought it said something about the broad variety of cultural origins and religions in Melbourne.

You can also see here the juxtaposition of European trees on the left and a tall eucalyptus on the right. Most European elm and plane trees are under threat in Melbourne because of the long period of very low rainfall, the drying out of the soil and the rationing of water for gardens.

I wish all TE members and their families a happy time over the Christmas and New Year period.

Royaldevon, besnard, snunney, jlbrthnn, azaf1, Kielia, ellelloo, phwall, skippy007, alftrek, hispic, Jean-Luc, daddo, Vasa, ChrisJ, PixelTerror, gunbud, chinchini, Charo, Photo65Net, pierrefonds, Clementi, fanni, jaywalker, Flavia, Bruno40 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

besnard (31316) 2008-12-23 3:49

Bonjour Andrew
Je suis ravie de recevoir des voeux du bout du monde au-travers de cette belle photo avec le sapin et les personnages qui ne peuvent dégager que de la sérénité.
Merci pour le partage et joyeux noël à toi et ta famille.
Nicole

Royaldevon (5978) 2008-12-23 3:49

Hello Andrew,

A festive shot with all the associated reds, greens and white.

I love your notes!
The idea of you taking shots of them taking shots, has so many conitations. I was looking for someone taking shots of you, taking shots of them, taking shots of each other. It couls build up like a snowball!
A lovely composition with the monks in the f/g and the Christmas tree as their b/g. Their red habits are perfect for the shot and the atmosphere.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)
A very Merry Christmas, to you.

snunney (35808) 2008-12-23 4:09

Hello Andrew,
An interesting Christmas shot from 'Down Under' with a nice touch of irony to it. Well framed and perfectly suiting the vertical format. Great colours and clarity. Best Wishes for the Festive Season to you and yours.

Longroute (10085) 2008-12-23 4:26

Hello Andrew,

really a good idea! The composition is so well balanced and lovely with the Christmas tree framed by the other tress and by the monks in the foreground. The red dresses of the monks contrasts with the green and match the red decorations of the Christmas tree. Very smart.
my best wishes for the Season,
Donato

jlbrthnn (39451) 2008-12-23 6:04

Hello Andrew,
A beautiful image of peace and benevolent proximity of different religions. These monks seem modern and with the point of progress, much less austere than the monks Benedictines. An image optimistic and superbly carried out.
Have a nice day. Joyeux Noël à toi et à tous les tiens.
Cordially
Joël

azaf1 (15615) 2008-12-23 7:43

Hi Andrew
Best wishes to you too, with lots of good health joy and of course nice shots
Greetings from Greece and TFS
Argiris

Waylim (11321) 2008-12-23 9:14

Andrew,
this is fantastic, what I like here is everthing about it is very untypical and unusual. The Christmas tree is different and unusual, the combination of two relegious symbol mixes in this image, Christmas and Bhudist monks, not an picture you expect to see. that makes it special. Techncally all is just great. thanks so much and best wishes.
Way

Wahclellaspirit (3017) 2008-12-23 9:43

Hello Andrew,
This just is not fair how you can have Christmas and a warm, blue sky over your head. Asn excellent image with the Snappy Christmas Tree and the three monks dressed in red.
Have a Great Christmas and New Year...
Steve

MarcT (21105) 2008-12-23 10:17

Hi Andrew,
That's a strange Xmas tree: under the sun and with Buddhist monks in the grass! Funny and well observed.
Cheers
Marc

Kielia (8811) 2008-12-23 10:49

Hi Andrew,
what a pleasant view! A great capture accompanied by an excellent note. This makes the global village a place worth living. From my point of view the most lovely contribution on the occasion of Christmas here on TE!
With my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Harriet

ellelloo (5019) 2008-12-23 12:41

Hello Andrew,
This photo and the note are a great TE contribution and a nice Christmas card as well. Indeed, several juxtapositions in the same photo. An excellent composition and very beautiful colours. Well done!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family too!
Lasse

phwall (5815) 2008-12-23 14:58

Hi Andrew,
Great shot, these opportunities don't present too often, well spotted and perfectly captured.
All my best wishes to you and your family for a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Regards
Peter

skippy007 (7449) 2008-12-23 21:42

Hello Andrew, Only in Australia such a mixture, interesting & excellent quality as always.
Thanks for your good wishes, I also like to wish you & your loved ones a safe & happy Christmas & New Year.
Take care
Santo

alftrek (2979) 2008-12-24 4:26

Hello Andrew,
I would say that this is an unique display of harmony in a multi-cultural society like Australia. You are a very observant photographer to pick up interesting subject such as this.
Thanks for your well wishes, may I wish you a Happy Christmas and New year.

Regards
Alfred

hispic (7399) 2008-12-24 19:04

Hello Andrew,
This is a very interesting image. I have never seen such a image combined Buddhist monks with Christmas tree, though it is interesting to be even only a Christmas tree in summer.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2009 to you and your family !!
Best wishes, Hisashi

kschanna (6) 2008-12-24 19:45

Hello Andrew,

Excellent composition, I like it very much, the portrait orientation is very good and Santo is right, only in Australia you get a collage like this.

A very happy Christmans and a Happy new year to you.

Cheers
Kamran

ImageMaker (83) 2008-12-24 20:00 [Comment]

Show Comment

Jean-Luc (5488) 2008-12-25 3:23

Bonjour Andrew,
Une très belle et originale composition pour cet échange de voeux depuis l'Australie!
Meilleurs voeux pour toi et ceux qui te sont chers!
Amicalement
Jean-Luc

daddo (11643) 2008-12-25 4:59

Hi Andrew. I was looking forward to this shot after you mentioned it on the phone and i am not disappointed. It is a gem- alive with colour and light, plus a certain serenity. The shaded areas are inviting, so is the green grass. The inclusion of the monks gives us the brilliant reds plus the message that acceptance of differences is our salvation. Regards. Klaudio.

Vasa (6589) 2008-12-25 16:08

Il est tres beau ton sapin, Andrew, et tu l'as eu avec la compagnie interessante.

Encore une possibilite de te souhaiter une merveilleurse annee 2009!

Branko

ChrisJ (70485) 2008-12-25 21:02

Hi Andrew & Seasons Greetings

Good sharpness, colour, & pov. The Buddhist monks in front of the Christmas tree add interest. Tfs!

toto (18783) 2008-12-26 0:26

Bonjour,
belle photo de cet arbre de Noel pris avec ces bonze a l' avant plan.
Bien dans les tons des décorations du sapin ou les décorations du sapin bien dans leurs tons? Reste a voir qui était la le premier.
Bonne netteté, belle profondeur, brelle prise.

Rosa et moi vous souhaitons de merveilleuses fétes de fin d' année et une année 2009 pleine de bonheur, d' argents, de photos et de prospérité.
Amitiés Thomas

Gerrit (36529) 2008-12-26 3:23

Hi Andrew,
Buddhist monks under a summer Christmas tree.
Quite an appealing scene I must say.
Have a great time,
Gerrit

PixelTerror (87159) 2008-12-26 7:59

HI Andrew
The interest of this image is for sure the opposition of the so wester Xmas tree with the so eastern monks, nice contrast, and in Melbourne you do not have to brave the frost and the snow to go enjoy it ;-)
Happy holidays and a nice summer to you, JY

gunbud (28261) 2008-12-26 10:06

Hi Andrew,
Wonderful cultural contrast between the gathering of the monks under the lovely modern Christmas tree.
Excellent clarity, sharpness and detail to this fine vertical presentation.
Regards, Tom

chinchini (27917) 2008-12-26 10:21

Bonjour Andrew,
Une photo très intéressante en cette fin d'année.
Le sapin décoré est là pour nous rappeler Noël même si c'est un Noël sans neige à Melbourne. La juxtaposition des moines boudhistes avec l'arbre de Noël se veut la paix sur terre entre gens de toutes croyances.
Enfin, l'effet 3D me plait dans cette image.
Happy New Year to you ;o)
Pierre

Charo (32126) 2008-12-26 17:14

Hello Andrew,
Original tree and unique scene. Excellent format for this vertical capture with great colors and details. Great POV.
Happy Christmas and New Year!
Best regards,
Charo

Photo65Net (43106) 2008-12-27 3:28

Hello Andrew,
Nice image, with great choice for vertical format.
Beautiful result,
Have a end of year,
JB.

pierrefonds (26797) 2008-12-27 7:27

Hi Andrew,

The presence of the people has an effect of scale. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the decorated tree. The lamposts are framing well the square. The intensity of the light is enhancing the colors. have a nice day.

Pierre

Clementi (45793) 2008-12-27 11:41

Ciao Andrew,
A beautiful image of peace and benevolent of different religions. best wishes also to you although late,but in time for wished a happy new year
Giorgio

amaryllis (17986) 2008-12-28 2:02

Bonjour
une très belle photo de ce sapin géant qui nous apporte bonheur et sérénité avec ces moines au pied de ce sapin
merci de ce partage en périodes de fêtes
bonne et heureuse année 2009
juliette

kevinos (6927) 2008-12-29 22:13

This is an amusing picture of a strange juxtaposition,Andrew. I am not sure if they are Mahayana Tibetan or Theravada, but both are well established in Australia now. They are clearly enjoying the christmas decorations too. regards Kevin

fanni (9021) 2009-01-09 15:58

Hello Andrew,
the time of Christmas has passed but the photo remains :)
I like it very much - the monks in red robes and a green Christmas tree the decorations of which match the monks' clothes so well!... For me it is still unusual to see "green" Christmas, not "white" Christmas, but... it's just a matter of mind and habit, isn't it :)
Excellent capture! And a very interesting note.
Warm greetings from Moscow!
Elena
PS. there is much snow here now......

jaywalker (12401) 2009-01-26 14:57

Hi Andrew, I know I'm a little late to wish you all the best for Christmas, but I hope you & your family had a good one. I love this shot with the three monks sat enjoying the sun & the large Christmas tree stood impressively behind, great pastel colours & TFS, kind regards Wilson.

Flavia (10202) 2009-02-19 8:33

Hi Andrew,

I find it very interesting. The contrast is there and its interesting enough to catch the our attention. I find the black frame a little distracting...

Regards,

Flavia

Bruno40 (6442) 2009-07-24 0:29

Hi Andrew,
Very unique composition: Buddhist monks in front of a Christmas trees on a sunny and hot day.
Well seen and captured.
Cheers
Jorge

Photo Information

Copyright: Andrew McRae (macondo) (13333)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-12-11
Categories: Festivals, Decisive Moment
Camera: Pentax K200D, Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII, Cokin 62mm Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/11, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-12-23 3:40